House of the Dragon Season 2: Every Detail of Season 2 Trailer
After over a year of waiting, multiple delays, and much anticipation, we finally got to catch a sneak peek of House of the Dragon Season 2. Although the official launch is still some distance away, with a vague release window planned for winter 2024, the newly released trailer at CCXP is akin to finding an oasis in the middle of a desert. The first season of House of the Dragon concluded with the shocking death of Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault), the son of Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), at the hands of Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell). Following the usurpation of the Iron Throne by Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynne-Carney), who was crowned before the masses shortly after the death of her father, Viserys (Paddy Considine), Rhaenyra attempted to enter into negotiations with her half-brother, since she was the legitimate heir to the throne. However, with the tragic death of Lucerys, any hope of a peaceful negotiation was dashed, truly beginning the Dance of Dragons.
House of the Dragon Season 2: Every Detail of Season 2 Trailer
Are you already looking forward to the second season of House of the Dragon? No wonder: the first was a resounding success for HBO. The pilot episode of the ‘ Game of Thrones ‘ spin-off attracted more than 10 million viewers when it premiered on the platform, and since then its audience and impact have only grown, becoming one of the best series from HBO in 2022, as well as one of the best series of 2022. The final episode once again registered audiences very similar to those of its predecessor, being the best season finale of a series on HBO since the end of ‘Game of Thrones.
The announcement of season 2 of the series based on the novels by George RR Martin was immediate. A few weeks later HBO confirmed the order of a new batch of episodes from a team that will have the loss of one of its showrunners, Miguel Sapochnik, author of several of the best chapters of Game of Thrones (‘The Battle of the Bastards’, ‘The Long Night’). Sapochnik will remain credited as executive producer, but his partner Ryan Condal will remain as solo showrunner. Sapochnik has also agreed with HBO to develop new projects. And let’s not forget that Jon Snow’s Game of Thrones spin-off is on the horizon. Alan Taylor, also director of Game of Thrones (he directed the first season finale, among others), will join his spin-off as director and executive producer in the second season.
The Dance of Dragons, a Bloody and Brutal War!
The preview for the second season highlights the prospect of a bloody and brutal war. This feud is not limited to family conflicts but involves individuals who control colossal nuclear weapons, commonly known as dragons. Early on, we hear Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) express, “Mistakes were made in the hours after King Viserys died. ”Although it could be interpreted as a reference to Aegon II’s coronation, Otto is more likely referring to Luke’s death. Aemond’s actions in Storm’s End place him as a kinsman-killer, a cardinal sin in Westeros, and an unfavorable look to the Greens, the faction backing Aegon II. Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) also notes: “The war will be fought, many will die, and the victor will eventually ascend the throne. Meanwhile, Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) warns Rhaenyra: “There is no war more hateful to the gods than a war between kin, and no war so bloody as a war between dragons. This is no ordinary confrontation, and scenes throughout the trailer showcase violence and abundant use of dragon fire.
House of the Dragon Trailer Opens with Rhaenyra in Shipbreaker Bay!
The teaser begins with Rhaenyra standing on the shores of Shipbreaker Bay, the place where Luke lost his life. Given the worn appearance of the area, it is difficult to determine where it is in history, as it is covered in soot, probably the result of a battle. However, Luke’s death haunts her throughout the season. As for Aegon II, despite his apparent apprehension in season 1 leading up to his coronation, he is now clearly comfortable wearing the Conqueror‘s crown. Not only does he wear it, but he also wields the Catspaw Dagger that Viserys once held. Additionally, he possesses his marble globe, which we see him place on the Small Council table. The place is adorned in the green color of House Hightower, with dragons embroidered in gold. His hallmark is a golden dragon on a green field, an element that will be recurring throughout season 2.
Although we saw Daemon (Matt Smith) participate in the war at the Stepstones during Season 1, he spent most of it not wearing armor. However, at the beginning of the Dance of Dragons, Daemon emerges as one of the most formidable enforcers in Rhaenyra’s service. In one of the teaser scenes, we see him possibly executing someone with a weirwood tree on his back. Although there was a weirwood tree in King’s Landing in season 1, these trees with haunting faces are more characteristic of the north and north of the Wall. However, one place in the south that is home to weirwoods is the Isle of Faces, a small island off Harrenhal. Given that Daemon attacks Harrenhal at the start of the war in Fire & Blood, it is plausible that he is there, although the identity of the person being executed remains a mystery.
New Houses of Westeros Join the Fray?
The Dance of the Dragons unleashes a war that involves various houses in the family conflict between the Greens and the Blacks. Rhaenyra leads the fight carrying the classic banner of House Targaryen: the three-headed red dragon on black, we also see the Hightower seal of the tower on green. However, new banners are present, such as those of Houses Rosby and Stokeworth. Rosby House displays three red chevrons on ermine, which is a white background with black flecks, while Stokeworth House’s banner features a white lamb holding a cup in a field of green. In the book, these two houses were initially loyal to Rhaenyra and sympathizers of the Blacks. However, they were imprisoned by Aegon II and then forced to switch allegiance to the Greens.
In the trailer, it is not clear which faction they belong to, but a scene in which a dragon causes a fiery explosion in a field makes it clear that they are involved as pawns in the war between the Targaryens. In another shot, a man dressed in yellow is shown carrying a shield with a red horse on a yellow background. This depiction suggests the possibility that this individual is from House Bracken. This house is renowned for its historic feud with the Blackwoods, an animosity that manifested itself in Season 1 when both houses vied for Rhaenyra’s hand in marriage. During the Dance of the Dragons, the Bracken swore allegiance to the Greens.
Rook’s Rest, the Dragon Seeds, and the Black Council?
There are several significant battles in the Dance of Dragons, and Rook’s Rest is one of the most notable. Although the trailer doesn’t indicate this battle, crucial events occur during Rook’s Rest. Not only is there a major loss for the blacks, but the Greens also suffer a severe blow when one of the key players in the war is incapacitated. In the trailer, we watch a grayish-silver dragon flying above us, and we see a man who could be Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty). Addam, a dragon seed, was recruited by the blacks to ride the numerous riderless dragons on Dragonstone.
In the book, Addam claims to be the bastard son of Laenor Velaryon (John MacMillan), but it is rumored that he is the bastard son of Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint). Since Laenor is not dead in the series, the question is whether Seasmoke will be able to have a new rider. This is one of the key questions that baffle readers of the book. In total, there are six dragon seeds: Hugh Hammer, Ulf the White, Addam of Hull, Alyn of Hull, Nettles, and Silver Denys. So far, only three have been selected: Addam, Alyn (Abubakar Salim), and Ulf (Tom Bennett). In one shot, we see Rhaenyra alongside her council, with Daemon to her left, Rhaenys to her right, and the queen’s guard Erryk Cargyll (Elliott Tittensor) at her side. Although Rhaenyra usually remains at Dragonstone during the war in the book, scenes of her show her covered in soot and riding her dragon Della Syrax, suggesting that the queen may be heading to the battlefield.
The Rise of Criston Cole, Aemond’s Ambition, and Blood and Cheese?
In a brief sequence, we see Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) executing someone surrounded by the king’s men. In the book’s plot, Criston quickly rises through the ranks, playing a crucial role as a brutal enforcer for the Greens. Viewers who have read the book will understand the implications of the scene in which Aemond approaches his brother’s throne. Without giving too much away, Aemond is shaping up to be a vital player in the war. Not only does he ride the biggest dragon, but he will also face shame as a kinsman killer. As the war progresses, Aemond’s ambition, already evident in season 1, will intensify.
While Luke is sent to Storm’s End to deal with the Baratheons, Jacaerys (Harry Collett) departs north. First to the Eyrie in search of an alliance with the Arryn and then to Winterfell to negotiate with Lord Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor). The presence of a shot of a snowy landscape and men in furs suggests a return to Winterfell. It is anticipated that the participation of Sangre y Queso will bring a shocking scene that can compete with the intensity of the Red Wedding. Without giving away too many details, Blood and Cheese are the names of two people who attack Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) in the Red Keep, in retaliation for Luke’s death.
Daemon’s Daughters, the Cargyll Twins, and the Common People Rising Against Alicent!
Although Daemon’s daughters have a limited role in the book, the trailer suggests that Baela (Bethany Antonia) will play an active role in the battles to come. She is seen screaming as she rides a dragon, evoking her mother Laena (Nanna Blondell). Although Rhaena is not seen, some fans theorize her possible involvement based on the story of the Nettles dragon seed. In a brief moment, one of the Cargyll twins is shown in combat. According to the book, the Cargylls will eventually meet and fight each other. Erryk (Elliott Tittensor) helped Rhaenys escape in Season 1, while his brother Arryk (Luke Tittensor) remains loyal to Aegon II. Will we see the Cargylls facing off in the second season of House of the Dragon? The scene where Rhaenys leaves the Dragon Pit and, in her wake, causes the death of hundreds of commoners, is presented in the trailer. These commoners, furious, turn on Alicent, as shown alongside a shot of the Dragonpit. Although ordinary people do not play a crucial role in the Dance in the book, the trailer suggests a brutal uprising that will be crucial in the coming seasons.
